Final answer:
Footbinding in China typically began when girls were between the ages of four and nine, as it was easier to mold the pliable bones of the feet at this young age.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of footbinding in China traditionally began during childhood. The ideal age for a girl to have her feet bound was typically between the ages of four and nine. This age range was chosen because the bones in the feet are more pliable at a young age, making the physical transformation of footbinding easier to achieve and less likely to be undone. Historically, footbinding was a deeply ingrained cultural practice associated with beauty standards and social status, persisting until the Communist Revolution in 1949.